Dianthus plant named ‘Starburst’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dianthus  plant named ‘STARBURST’ that is characterized by compact habit, grey-green foliage, and semi-double flowers that are cherry red with white markings. In combination these traits set ‘STARBURST’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Dianthus  known to the inventor.

Genus: DIANTHUS.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘STARBURST’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f) of the earlier application for European Community Plant Breeders Rights, Application Number 2007/2060 filed Sep. 19, 2007.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus that is grown for use as a flowering plant for pots and containers and as a hardy perennial for the garden and landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Dianthus×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘STARBURST’.

‘STARBURST’ is a complex hybrid plant that is the product of a long term breeding program conducted in a greenhouse environment in Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The primary focus of the breeding program is to produce new cultivars of Dianthus that exhibit unique growth habit and colors. The inventor selected ‘STARBURST’ in 2002 for its semi-double flowers that are cherry red with white markings.

‘STARBURST’ resulted from the controlled pollination between an unreleased and unpatented Dianthus previously raised by the inventor and known by its code name Dianthus ‘00-12’ as female parent plant, and an unknown Dianthus as male parent plant.

‘STARBURST’ is distinguishable from the female parent by plant habit, flower size and flower pattern. Dianthus ‘00-12’ is a taller plant with larger flowers which lack the regular white and cherry-red markings of ‘STARBURST’.

The varieties of Dianthus which are considered by the inventor to most closely resemble ‘STARBURST’ are Dianthus ‘Mendlesham Minx’ (unpatented) and Dianthus ‘Whatfield Gem’ (unpatented). Each of these varieties has a similar blotching pattern on their petals, but the patterns and colors are different. ‘STARBURST’ has a regular pattern of white and cherry-red markings. ‘Mendlesham Minx’ has white splotched maroon flowers with broader foliage. ‘Whatfield Gem’ has ruby flowers covered with white and pink splotches that are more double, has greyer foliage, and a more compact habit.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by the inventor in 2002 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, United Kingdom. The method of asexual propagation used was vegetative cuttings. Since that time the characteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new Dianthus cultivar ‘STARBURST’. These traits in combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor. ‘STARBURST’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘STARBURST’ exhibits a compact habit.     -   2. ‘STARBURST’ blooms profusely.     -   3. ‘STARBURST’ exhibits semi-double flowers that are a cherry         red with white markings.     -   4. ‘STARBURST’ blooms from March through October.     -   5. ‘STARBURST’ exhibits grey-green foliage.     -   6. At maturity, the height of the foliage mound of ‘STARBURST’         is 20 cm to 25 cm; the width is 15 cm to 17 cm.     -   7. ‘STARBURST’ is perennial and is hardy to −15° C.     -   8. ‘STARBURST’ is suitable for use as a flowering plant in pots         and containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dianthus variety ‘STARBURST’ showing colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘STARBURST’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an entire flowering plant.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a flower.

All drawings were made of 9 months old plants grown in 1.5-litre containers in a cold (unheated) glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘STARBURST’. Data was collected in spring from 9 months old plants which have been grown in 1.5-litre containers in spring, and grown in an unheated glasshouse in Devon, United Kingdom. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The colors of stems, leaves, calyx and epicalyx have been noted on plants which retain the characteristic waxy bloom of Dianthus. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. Growing conditions are typical to other Dianthus.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus ‘STARBURST’. -   Species: ×hybrida. -   Common name: Garden pink. -   Commercial classification: Dianthus hybrid. -   Type: Perennial. -   Use: Used as a flowering plant for pots and containers and for     planting in the garden or landscape. -   Parentage: ‘STARBURST’ is a complex hybrid plant that resulted from     the induced open pollination between the following parent plants:     -   -   Female parent plant.— Dianthus ‘00.12’.         -   Male parent plant.—Unknown. -   Plant description:     -   -   Bloom period.—April through October.         -   Plant habit.—Compact mound with many branches and stems;             upright growth.         -   Plant height.—20 cm to 25 cm after 9 months         -   Plant width.—15 cm to 17 cm after 9 months.         -   Plant hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.         -   Root system.—Fine fibrous roots.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             cuttings.         -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun, with moderate             water, and well-drained moderately fertile soil. Remove dead             flower heads to maintain flowering.         -   Diseases and pests.—Susceptible to known Dianthus pests and             disease but no other susceptibilities to pests or disease             are known to the inventor.         -   Time and temperature needed to produce a rooted cutting.—3             weeks are needed to produce roots on cuttings using a mist             propagation unit with bottom heat of 21° Centigrade, and a             minimum air temperature of 15° Centigrade.         -   Crop time.—3 months starting in the early spring through             summer and 6 months starting in the fall is needed to             produce a finished container size plant from a well-rooted             cutting. -   Stem:     -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem dimensions.—7 cm to 9 cm in height and 2 mm to 3 mm in             diameter.         -   Stem surface.—Glabrous and glaucous.         -   Stem color.—145B.         -   Branching.—Numerous shoots from the axils of the lower             leaves.         -   Internode length.—8 mm to 12 mm between nodes.         -   Node color.—145C.         -   Node dimensions.—3 mm in length and 2 mm to 3 mm in             diameter. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen.         -   Shape.—Linear and straight.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Decurrent.         -   Venation.—Not Prominent.         -   Margins.—Entire.         -   Attachment.—Sheathing.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite or spiraling.         -   Surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glaucous.         -   Leaf dimensions.—60 mm to 70 mm in length and 3 mm to 5 mm             in width.         -   Leaf color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—N189B.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Inflorescence.—Cymose.         -   Number of flowers per stem.—From 3 to 7.         -   Pedicel dimensions.—180 mm to 200 mm in length and 2 mm to 3             mm in width.         -   Pedicel strength.—Erect.         -   Pedicel color.—N189B.         -   Flower development.—In sequence from the uppermost bud.         -   Flower type.—Salviform and symmetrical.         -   Flower shape.—Circular.         -   Flower profile.—Reflexed.         -   Flower dimensions: (including calyx).—25 mm to 30 mm in             length and 25 mm to 30 mm in width.         -   Fragrance.—Medium.         -   Petals.—Number: 15–20 petals. Profile, upper part of             corolla: Convex. Profile, lower part of corolla: Concave.             Arrangement: Persistent, double, apopetalous, overlapping.             Margin: Crenate-dentate with 0 mm to 1 mm indentations.             Texture: Soft. Shape: Obdeltoid. Surface: Glabrous.             Dimensions: 35 mm in length and 15 mm in width. Color             (adaxial surface): Ground color of blade: 73B. Band across             blade: 60B. Middle of strap: 145C Base of strap: 145D. Color             (abaxial surface): Ground color of blade: 73B. Band across             blade: No band. Middle of strap: 145C. Base of strap: 145D.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Cylindrical. Longitudinal profile: Flat.             Dimensions: 20 mm in length and 8 mm in diameter. Sepals:             Fused. Number of sepals: 5. Sepal surface: Glaucous. Sepal             color (both surfaces): N138B. Anthocyanin: Present sometimes             only on the border of the sepals. Splitting: Not observed.         -   Epicalyx.—Bracts: 1 pair of 2. Shape of outer lobe:             Acuminate. Dimensions: 7 mm in length and 6 mm in width.             Color: 133A and 144A. Anthocyanin: Absent.         -   Bracteoles.—Number: 2. Dimensions: 6 mm to 8 mm in length             and 3 mm to 4 mm in width. Color: 133A and 144A.             Anthocyanin: Absent.         -   Lastingness of flower.—Each individual flower lasts an             average of 10 days at 20° C. on the plant. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 5–10. Dimensions: 15 mm–20 mm in length and             0.5 mm in diameter. Color: NN155D. NB: Most of the stamens             are petaloid or without anthers.         -   Anthers.—None observed.         -   Pollen.—Occasionally. Between the filet and the petaloid             part, you could have a malformed anther which is able to             produce pollen.         -   Style.—Number: 2. Shoulder: Absent. Color: NN155D.             Dimensions: 20 mm to 30 mm in length and 1 mm in width.         -   Stigma.—Number: Single. Color: 71A. Dimensions: 5 mm above             petals at maturity.         -   Ovary.—Position: Superior. Dimensions: 10 mm to 12 mm in             length and 4 mm to 5 mm in diameter. Shape: Spindle. Color:             adaxial, 145A; abaxial, 145C. -   Seed: Present. Dimensions: 3 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter.     Shape: Oval and flattened. Number 1–10. Color: 202A. Surface:     Crinkled. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘STARBURST’ as described and illustrated herein. 